The Nissan Leaf is the world's most popular car—no surprise since it was the first modern all-electric vehicle offered to just about everyone with around $25,000 (after federal rebates) to buy.
Its big rival is now the Chevrolet Bolt EV—and, frankly, it's the better choice unless you're getting an especially good deal on the Leaf.
The Chevy is far more modern inside and out and it offers more than double the usable range.
Another option if you're getting a big discount is the Ford Focus Electric, which requires some major compromises but is often discounted.
The BMW i3 and Tesla Model S, meanwhile, offer different versions of upscale tailpipe emissions-free motoring, albeit at a hefty price.
And we'll throw in the slow-selling Ford C-Max since it offers a hatchback with a lot of utility much like the Leaf.
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 2017 Nissan LeafBrowse Used Listings |  2017 BMW i3Browse Used Listings |  2017 Chevrolet Bolt EVBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Ford C-MaxBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Ford Focus ElectricBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Tesla Model SBrowse Used Listings |
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Eclipsed by the Chevrolet Bolt EV's 200-mile-plus range, the Nissan Leaf is best enjoyed with the substantial discounts dealers are eager to offer. |
The BMW i3 is a technological and stylistic tour de force—yet like any technology, it's nearing its sell-by date. |
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV could become the first mainstream electric car, with a 238-mile range and a base price in the high $30,000s before incentives. |
The 2017 Ford C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi are still pleasant all-rounders among hybrids, but they face much tougher competition this year from the Prius lineup. |
The fun-to-drive 2017 Ford Focus Electric finally gets the range boost and DC fast-charging it's needed for years, but Ford's sole electric car is still only available in a few markets. |
The 2017 Tesla Model S is unlike any other car on the road for several reasons—good and bad. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $30,680 | $42,400 | $36,620 | $24,175 | N/A | $68,000 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 42 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | |||||
| Engine | |||||
| Electric | Electric | Electric | Gas/Electric I-4 | N/A | Electric |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Mid-Size Cars | Subcompact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Large Cars | N/A | Large Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| S Hatchback | 60 Ah | 5-Door HB LT | SE FWD | N/A | 60 RWD *Ltd Avail* |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | N/A | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | N/A | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | N/A | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic | Automatic | NA | CVT w/OD | N/A | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2017 Nissan Leaf vs. 2017 BMW i3 | 2017 Nissan Leaf vs. 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 2017 Nissan Leaf vs. 2017 Ford C-Max | 2017 Nissan Leaf vs. 2017 Ford Focus Electric | 2017 Nissan Leaf vs. 2017 Tesla Model S | |
![Tesla Model S after IIHS small-overlap frontal crash test, Spring 2017 [frame from IIHS video]](https://images.hgmsites.net/med/the-2017-tesla-model-s-earned-only-an-acceptable-in-the-iihs-test_100613163_m.jpg "Tesla responds bitterly to subpar IIHS crash-test results for \"safest cars in history\"")
